Terry Sanderson dead at 62

November 27, 2014 ·
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Best known to a younger generation as general manager of Toronto Rock of the National Lacrosse League but to older residents as a player who led the Orangeville Northmen to Canadian championships, Terry Sanderson is dead at 62.

No cause of death has yet been disclosed. All that had been said about his illness was that he was taking a leave of absence and that the Rock’s team owner, Jamie Dawick, had become interim general manager.

At 7 p.m. Thursday, Mr. Dawick disclosed Mr. Sanderson’s passing with this tweet: “Lost one of my best friends today. Things just won’t be the same without him. RIP T. Thoughts and prayers with the entire Sanderson family.”

Mr. Sanderson, owner of Orangeville’s Sanderson Sports, had a long involvement with the Rock, first serving as head coach and GM from 2004 to 2006, winning the National Lacrosse League Champion’s Cup in 2005. He returned to the Rock in 2009 as GM and assistant coach, and earlier this year signed a two-year extension with the club.

He has been a fixture in the NLL, having served as a head or assistant coach with six different clubs in addition to Toronto. He won a second Champion’s Cup as an assistant with Calgary in 2009, and a third with the Rock in 2011.